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FBI Takes Over Investigation After Bomb Found At Police Station

By Jeff Todd

NEDERLAND, Colo. (CBS4)- The Federal Bureau of Investigation has taken over the case of a bomb left at a Colorado police station.

It was around 7:30 a.m. Tuesday when an employee brought in a backpack that was placed outside the Nederland Police Department and Boulder County Sheriff's Sub Station.

Incident in Nederland
(credit: CBS)

"They initially brought it inside because they thought it was a piece of abandoned or lost property. When they looked inside the bag they identified items that were consistent with possibly and explosive device," said Nederland's Marshal Paul Carriall.

The Boulder County Bomb Squad and nearly a dozen other agencies responded.

"It's a big deal because it's so scary! This is the center of town," said Betty Bass whose attempt to move houses was interrupted by the closure and evacuations on Tuesday.

Incident in Nederland
(credit: CBS)

The law enforcement officers are in a popular shopping center in the center of town.

The FBI released a statement, "Preliminary indications are that the improvised explosive device (IED) was active, but failed to detonate."

Around 1:30 Wednesday morning the bomb squad finally neutralized the bomb.

Incident in Nederland
(credit: CBS)

"It was three minutes to of one and the phone rang and it was a recording that says this is a reverse 911 call letting residents of Nederland know we're going to set off the bomb and you're going to hear a loud noise but don't worry. We thought it was going to be like fireworks and we waited and waited and waited. Finally, we heard a big bang," Bass said.

There is a security camera outside of the law enforcement office space, but so far there hasn't been any information released on a potential suspect.

Nederland Police Generic Badge
(credit: CBS)

Anyone with information about the incident, please call the FBI Denver Division at (303) 629-7171.

Jeff Todd joined the CBS4 team in 2011 covering the Western Slope in the Mountain Newsroom. Since 2015 he's been working across the Front Range in the Denver Headquarters. Follow him on Twitter @CBS4Jeff.

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